Hybrid algorithm optimization of moorings of a floating two-buoy wave energy converter

A fully coupled dynamic optimization framework is developed for designing the hybrid mooring system of a floating two-buoy wave energy converter (WEC). The framework integrates time-domain hydrodynamic analysis of nonlinear responses with a global–local hybrid optimization strategy. Four configurations are considered: hybrid mooring (HM), hybrid mooring with clump weights (HMW), hybrid mooring with floaters (HMF), and hybrid mooring with clump weights and floaters (HMWF). Ten global–local hybrid optimization techniques are evaluated. The coupled numerical framework is validated against experimental data from a 1:5 scale floating two-buoy WEC. Sensitivity and coupling analyses of mooring parameters are conducted to identify the optimal mooring solution and define parameter ranges for optimization. A large-scale comparative optimization analysis is carried out to determine the most effective optimization approach and to quantify the optimal mooring parameters by comparing the convergence characteristics and computational efficiency of the ten optimization strategies. Results indicate that the GA–PS hybrid method has the best global search capability and prediction accuracy, making it particularly well-suited for complex hybrid mooring optimization applications, while SM-based approaches serve as robust alternatives. Our findings provide practical design guidance that should enable the development of cost-effective, high-performance hybrid mooring systems for WEC applications at field scale.